I am the happy, valve-drunk owner of a new Taboo. One day after the arrival of my Taboo, I sold my RSA Apache headphone. It retails for 3x the price of the Taboo. So, now, the tube sound has to come home as well. The question this time will be: a second Taboo [nice ROI on tube rolling] or a Mini Torii for what will primarily be a headphone listening station?

I searched for discussion on this question in both the Taboo and Mini forums, but if this was talked about, I missed it. Regrets if so.

Advantages I see to Taboo:

1. Lucid Mode makes a significant difference, particularly in the soundstage of the Audez'e LCD-2 cans.2. It is cheaper, but it does seem to benefit from a front end like the CSP or ZSTAGE, at least based on what I have read here and over on Head-Fi. So, the price differential is not a significant factor for me.

Advantages I see to Mini:

1. More tubes. Okay, maybe that doesn't count, and some might even see it as a disadvantage.2. I expect to pair up a set of ERRs with whichever amp I choose, in a small room, and the optional switch-out on the Torii is nice.

As I read the design notes and other information about the two amps, though, it seems they have very different purposes, and the approaches to the problem solving in each design sugegsts there might be much deeper differences in the sound of the two amps.

Anyway, I would love to hear opinions from folks, especially those who have, or have had, both. TIA!

Obviously you need to experience both amps. Rolling amps is a great idea. If you wanted to have two TABOOS you could buy a CSP2 to boost one of them.

The main difference between the two is that the MINI TORII has incredible stereo separation - because it is dual mono. However the delightful treat in the TABOO is lucid mode. The MINI TORII is a more evolved design with the tube regulation of the inputs and outputs and tube rectification. the MINI takes a low input level source and brings it to deafening volume. The TABOO will take a 2 volt signal and bring it to an acceptable volume.